IBS & irritable bowel decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, as his current ratings reflect the impairment caused by these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted due to exposure to burn pits. The claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome is denied as the Veteran is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.

The Board has denied service connection for sinus condition, acquired psychiatric condition (to include PTSD and anxiety), GERD, IBS, and tension headaches. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the service connection claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and is considering any evidence not previously considered. The Veteran's IBS claim was denied as there is no current diagnosis of IBS in the record. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae with residual scarring was combined with scars to the face associated with pseudofolliculitis barbae, and a 10% rating has been assigned since January 8, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for an updated assessment of his symptoms.

The Veteran's GERD and IBS have been granted a 60 percent rating, the highest available under current criteria. The Veteran's migraine headache with BPPV has also been granted an increased rating to 50 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, allergic rhinitis, a nasal scar, and erectile dysfunction due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's IBS with GERD, finding that his symptoms more closely approximate the 30 percent criteria.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the Board dismissed it.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for hair loss is dismissed due to an impermissible concurrent election with the pending IBS appeal.,The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 30 percent rating for IBS since March 1, 2023 is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ankle disorder, a right shoulder disorder, and a right knee strain (claimed as a right leg injury). The claim of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's GERD and asthma have been granted service connection, with the GERD receiving a non-compensable rating.

The Board has granted a compensable rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), effective from December 17, 2022. The claim for service connection for inguinal hernia was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal diseases and autoimmune disease are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected disabilities, as well as their potential relation to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's IBS with GERD is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum available rating under DC 7319. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 60 percent rating under DC 7346.

The Veteran's bowel condition other than IBS is not service-connected.,Her pulmonary embolism has been rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines, and no higher evaluation is warranted.,Right arm, right leg, and bilateral hip disorders are secondary to a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) that occurred prior to her current claims. The evidence does not support a finding of a CVA in this case.,Service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hip disorder cannot be established due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and atherosclerosis of the coronary artery with stable angina pectoris are granted as secondary to herbicide exposure. Hypertension is also granted under the PACT Act.,Hypothyroidism and irritable bowel syndrome were not granted due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, TMJ dysfunction (jaw pain), tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, diverticulosis, erectile dysfunction, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted.,The Board has found that the Veteran had qualifying service in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War era and has current diagnoses of IBS, TMJ dysfunction (jaw pain), tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, diverticulosis, erectile dysfunction, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are granted on a presumptive basis under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an adequate clinician's opinion regarding the impact of medication on the Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The appeal of the reduction in disability rating for IBS from 30 percent to non-compensable effective July 1, 2022 is dismissed as the AOJ has already restored the original rating.